A LOOK AT CIVIL ENGINEERINGBy: MK Pegram

David Pegram- Civil Engineer

Graduated from UNC-Charlotte with a Civil Engineering degree in December 2010

Employed for North Carolina DOT Rail Division as a Construction Consultant

Interview What got you interested in Civil Engineering? “Have always enjoyed building things at a young age. Put together Legos often. Helped my father build houses and that transferred into my schooling. I like playing in the dirt so that’s why I choose Civil Engineering.”

Explain a typical day.“I spend about 70% of my time out in the field.

Solving problems, looking at plans, talking to inspectors, and making sure what is printed on paper is applied out in the field.”

Interview Continued How many projects have you worked on since you have

graduated? What do they consist of?“I have worked on over 10 projects. Right now I am

overseeing construction on 5 railroad projects. That is making improvements such as putting a track beside an existing track and putting bridges over roads and such as that. Other projects I have worked on range from traffic analysis to designing railroads.

Most of my stuff has been centered around the transportation field.”

What are some goals you would like to accomplish in your career?“It is important for Civil Engineers to go after their PE license. Once you get the PE you are able to sign and seal a set of

plans. PE means Professional Engineering License. Short terms goals is to build as much experience as I can.”

Construction of a bridge

Starting of a railway project

Laying of the railway beams

Setting the beams in place

Aligning of the beams

Welding together tracks

Final product of a railway

Digging beside a railway for underground pipes

Underground pipe being installed

Smoothing off the land around the tracks

Audio Interview

• This interview was recorded over Skype.

Map Of Railway Projects